38. Funny videos on Youtube.

Elena.

I was literally dragged away from the midst of the homeless people by Mr. Deangelo and I had been too shocked to resist, but as soon as we were at his car, I got to my senses and snatched my hand away from his.

Refusing to follow him back home, I started to walk away with guilt, totally convinced that I was doing the right thing because he does not deserve to be close to the enemy’s child like that but then I immediately halted when he yelled.

“Diego is sick! Mia keeps throwing tantrums, the kids want you, they miss you. And remember that you have absolutely no right to quit like that. Or have I given you any reason to think you could simply get up and defy me? Are you forgetting whom it is that you are dealing with right now?” He threatened but even without his threats, hearing that Diego was sick because of me and that Mia even wants me back was enough to get me into his car without as much as grumbling.

After hugging and laughing with the pack for almost an hour, I was in Diego’s room after I had suceeded in feeding him his food and drugs.

“What book do you want me to read to you, Diego?” I asked as I looked over to his bookshelves.

It was 9:30 p.m. and I was sitting on the end of his bed while he dried himself after his night bath.

“I don’t know, do we have to read? Can’t we do something else for a change? I miss you so much.” he said as he pulled on his striped, pajamas.

“She was only away for one night, Diego. You exaggerate too much, a drama queen, that’s what you are.” Mia chipped in whilst standing at the entrance of the room.

“One night. One day. It’s all the same thing. Lets do something else, Ms. Elena.” Diego said adamantly.

“Okay, baby, what do you want to do?”

Shrugging, he said, “how about we watch funny videos on youtube?”

“Youtube is bad for kids, you will not learn anything from YouTube, Diego.” I said, trying to discourage him as I didn’t want to start my return into the pack by simply letting him do whatever he wanted and in turn get the wrath of his father.

“That’s not true at all,” Mia said from where she stood. “Everything I know I learnt from YouTube.”

“Is that where you learnt to jump into a conversation too?” I joked.

“Funny,” She said back.

I throw Diego a wink. “I know, right? I’m hilarious. And I learnt it on YouTube too,” I shout.

“Oh God,” I hear Mia mutter.

I thought for a moment about what we could do. What was something we could watch together, the three of us?

“I know. We could just watch baby funny videos,” I suggested. Mia frowned. “What for?”

“Haven’t you ever watched baby videos on YouTube?” I asked, shocked.

“No.”

“Diego, have you?” I directed, knowing that she was definitely eavesdropping.

“Nobody does that except losers,” she hit back.

I giggled. “Well, you are lucky I’m a loser then.”

I opened up a computer at Diego’s desk and I log into YouTube, searching for baby bloopers. Mia and I took a seat at the desk and we both waited.

A toddler approached a dog at a distance with so much confidence but as soon as the the dog starts barking and coming right back at him, he ran back while screaming with his hands flailing in the air.

A dancing cactus toy suddenly repeated what a toddler babbled and he was so shocked, seconds later, he started to cry.

It seemed to just keep getting more and more hilarious as we kept laughing our asses out at the babies. Another one came up where a toddler refused to eat vegetables so the mother acted like she was going to give the child the spoon of ice cream which she has her mouth opened for, only for the father to dip the spoon of mashed vegetables in her mouth instead, thus catching her off guard as she chewed with confusion etched on her face.

We all stared at one other, then smiled before bursting into another fit of giggles. It felt good to laugh. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so free. Looking into Mia and Diego’s smiling eyes, my laughter died down and my nose started stinging. I could feel the tears at the backs of my eyes but I didn’t let them fall.

I never realized that being happy would make me so emotional. Maybe it was because I never experienced friendship, laughter, or happiness. But everyone here showed me kindness that I never thought existed.

And I would forever be grateful for that.

It isn’t long before Sofia appeared at the door, “What’s going on?” she asked. “What are you doing?”

“We’re watching funny baby videos on YouTube.” Diego replied before I could.

“Cat bloopers? It’s 10:00 p.m. Bedtime was an hour ago. Stop watching such rubbish. Elena, the alpha asked for you.” She said with so much sternness that I just had to immediately get up. Before I left, I saw her shut down the computer and tell Mia to go to her room too.

I had not even gotten to the alpha’s office before I met him on the way and before he said a thing, I spoke up first. “I am sorry for leaving that way.”

“Hmm... I just want you to know that there had better not been a repetition of that, unless I say so, you will not leave, Elena, is that clear?” He let out in a threatening tone and I simply nodded.

“Thanks for coming to get me, Alpha.” I added.

He nodded and rolled his lips, as if stopping himself from speaking. His sexy eyes held mine. “You’re most welcome, Elena.”

My breath hitched. There was something about the way he says Elena that was just so… perfect.

I smiled bashfully, embarrassed that he made me feel like a giddy young girl. I don’t remember any man ever making me feel like that. Was there something more going on here, or just wishful thinking on my behalf?

“Goodnight, Alpha.” I said but he moved closer to me and suddenly, we were brought face to face, only millimetres apart. My heart skipped a beat at our close proximity, and I looked up into his sexy eyes. The power emanating from his body was palpable.

His eyes dropped to my lips.

Oh God, was he going to kiss me? Right now? Again?

After a moment, he seems to remember where he was or something, and he took a purposeful step backwards, nodding like a gentleman. “Goodnight, Elena.” He said as we walked away.

I walked to the kitchen and slowly drew the fridge door open as I squinted as the light from its door pierced the darkness. It was late and I was desperately searching for a late night snack to sustain me until the morning, I had not had a thing all day afterall.

I heard a tap on the glass window, followed by another. Rain began to dance on the gravel outside, and the trees seemed to whisper as a breeze blew through their branches. I remember smiling to myself; I have always loved a summer rainstorm.

Food in hand, still half blind in the darkness, I fumbled through the house, making my way back to my bedroom, I closed the door softly behind me. As I settled into bed and pulled my warm covers over me, I felt crumbs from my sandwich fall to the sheets. I just grinned to myself; I was both too hungry and too tired to care. Suddenly, the darkness of my bedroom was interrupted by a flash of lightning, illuminating my room through my window. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of irrational fear and I felt my flesh grow cold as I heard branches angrily scratching the glass from my window. I pulled the duvet over my head and paused for a brief moment.

Even though I had fun with the kids, I was very tired. Now that I was in bed, my body felt heavy and languid. Sighing happily, I turned toward my window. The curtains were open and I had the perfect view of the moonlight. The magnificent beauty took my breath away.

This could make such a beautiful painting. I could already imagine the large canvas smeared with alluring colors, creating a soft and peaceful landscape.

My eyes soon started to get heavy. I yawned and blinked drowsily. Darkness surrounded me and that was how I felt asleep. This time, my sleep was free from nightmares and Salvatore’s evil grins and tortures.

All I felt was peace.